Colo. police pepper-spray misbehaving boy, 8

April 06, 2011

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Police in suburban Denver are defending their use of pepper spray on an 8-year-old boy they say was throwing a violent tantrum at school.

Denver’s KUSA-TV reported Tuesday that the boy had been spitting and cursing at teachers Feb. 22 at Glennon Heights Elementary in Lakewood. He was also allegedly trying to stab them with wood trim he had broken from the walls.

Police say they pepper-sprayed the boy twice after he refused to drop the wood, then handcuffed him.

His mother says police had been called about her son twice before and should have handled the situation differently. Police say it was the safest option.

The boy has been transferred to a school for children with behavioral problems.